Magnetic coin-testing mechanism for coin-controlled machines.



. A. D. GROVER. MAGNETIC COIN TESTING MECHANISM FOR COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES.

' APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1914.

1,173,716, l I Patented ieb.29,1916.

K 2 'g. 5 IIIIIIII 4 IIIIIII 18 1 I; 14 V I .I 4 I I. 5' I I I I 4. 26 Fig. 5- 27 Fig. 2. Fig. 6.

3g 0 i 2 6 Q 2: 5 55 O N /x 17 4 1 as INVENTOR fl/berzfl Grab er ATTORNEY 1 [UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT D. GROVEB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTOSALES GUM & CI IOCOLA'I'E COMPANY, A (IORPORATIONv OF NEW YORK.

MAGNETIC COIN-TESTING MECHANISM FOR COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application filed Kay 29, 1914. Serial No. 841,743.

To all whmiiitmay concern Be it known that I, ALBERT a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented' certain new and useful Improvements in Magnetic Coin-Testing Mechanisms for Coin-Controlled Machines, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention has for its object the provision of a coin-testing device readily applicable to all kinds of coin-controlled mechanisms to arrest the passage of magnetic checks or disks through the coin-slot.

My new and improved coin-testing device is characterized by great simplicity of construction and operation. Furthermore, the arrangement of the parts is so compact that the device as a whole occupies but very little space and may be readily attached to various kinds of machines or mechanisms where a coin is employed to perform some given function or operation.

One

type of mechanism in which my invention finds special application, are telephone toll boxes where, as is well known, the coin either effects the electrical connections in the telephone signal circuit, or mechanically rings the bell.

Broadly speaking, my inventioncomprises a normally balanced framework on which loosely rests a magnet having its poles substantially in alinement with the coin-chute, so that when a magnetic disk is deposited, it adheres to the poles of the magnet, and

D; Gnovnn,

a downward push on the disk moves themagnet downward and overbalances the framework. This supporting framework is provided with a stop which is normally maintained out of the coin-chute, but when the framework is overbalanced by downward pressure on the magnetic disk, the stop is automatically projected across the coin-chute in the path of the slug or disk, so that further inward movement of disk is positively prevented. The arrangement of. the magnet and the stop on the framework is such that a slight downward movement of the magnet causes increase movement of the stop, whereby the device is rendered certain in its operation. The magnet rests loosely on the framework and'no springs of any kind are employed. In fact, myentire mechanism consists only of two parts-namely, aswinging framework and [closed within a the v a magnet resting loosely thereon. These parts are readily assumedand are very inexpensive to make.

A preferred embodiment of my inventron is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure mg embodying one of my magnetic cointesters, thls box being shown in the form of an attachment for telephone toll boxes. Fig. 2, 1s a top plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, 1s a rear vlew of Fig. 1 with the back plate removed to show the parts within. Fig. 4, IS a longitudinal cross-section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5, is a transverse cross-section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing a bottom plan view of the washer-catching device inserted in the box; and Fig. 6, is a transverse cross-section on line 66 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

To illustrate one specific application of my invention, I have shown the parts inbox or casing 1 which may be readily attached to telephone toll boxes, such as are now in use in great numbers all over the country. The box 1 has a coinentrance slot 2 which communicates with the coin-chute 3. This coin-chute is formed by the front wall of the box and the partition 4. Within the chamber 5 of the box 18 pivotally mounted a balanced framework indicated as a whole by F. This framework may be of any suitable construction and in the form shown in the drawings it comprises a lower arm 6 from which rises a standard 7 A stop arm 8 is connected to -tln'aj upper end of the standard 7 by any suitable means, such as rivets 9. The framework is pivotally supported between the spaced ears or lugs 10 at the bottom of the casing by means of pivot screws 11, which pass through the lugs 10 into the arm 6 of the framework, as indicated in Fig. 6. If desired, check nuts 12 may be employed to hold the pivot screws 11 in adjusted position. The free end of the arm 6 is provided with a supporting shoulder 13 on which loosely rests the U- haped magnet 14. The poles 15 of the magnet 14 are bent toward the coin-chute 3 and project into alinement with the coin-chute 3 through openings 16 in the partition 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. ,A weight 17 is so arranged on the framework that normally the framework is balanced in the position shown in full lines in 1, is a front view of a boxer cas- Fig. 4. It will be seen that in this position of the framework, the free end of the stop arm 8 rests in the alined opening 18 in the partition 4 without projecting into the coinchute 3. v

The operation of my improved coin-testing mechanism will now be clear and is as follows: The coin-chute being normally unobstructed, the free passa e of a good coin is not interfered with. owever, when a magnetic disk is inserted, it immediately adheres to the poles of the magnet. A downward push on the disk moves the magnet slightly downward in its own plane and rocks the framework toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 4), projectin the arm 8 across the coin-chute directly into the ath of the slug. The operated position of the framework is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Preferably, the arm 8 is provided with a notch or recess 19 which causes a locking engagement between the arm and the magnetic disk, when it is attempted to force the latter downward. In order to form a point of support for the free end of the arm 8. I provide a recess 20 in the front wall of the casing to receive the free end of the arm, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. This takes some of the strain oil the bearing pivots 11 should pressure he brought down upon the magnetic slug in an attempt to force the same through the coin chute.

It will be observed that the magnet 14 rests loosely on the supporting frame work. To prevent the magnet from falling toward the rear of the chamber 5 I provide suitable guiding means such as the transverse rod 21 which is fixed in the side walls of the casing. Also, if desired, guide lugs 22 may be provided, as shown in Fig. 3, to prevent lateral disarrangement of the magnet.

It should be noted that I do not employ any springs in my magnetic coin-tester. Nor are there any delicate adjustments necessary, with the exception of the balancing of the framework, which is easily done by means of the weight 17.

To permit the removal of a magnetic slug from the stop arm 8, the front wall of the casing is provided with a window 23, through which a finger or any suitable instrument may be inserted for moving the slug upwardly to be removed through the coin-entrance slot 2.

In the drawings, I have also shown the box or casing provided with a modified form of my new washer catcher which forms the subject-matter of my co-pending application. Serial No. 781.072, filed July 25, 1913. I do not herein make any claims to the modified washer-catching mechanism shown herein, as that modification is fully covered in said co-pending application. In

this modified construction, the slidable looking member 24 is normally restrained in withdrawn or inoperative position by the lever 25 pivoted on the base plate 26 by means of a lug '27. A suitable spring 28 coiled about the lug 29 normally holds the arm 30 of the lever 25 against the shoulder 31 of the locking member 24. The sprin 32 which at its free end engages the lo ting member 24 and tends to project the same across the coin-slot 2, is overpowered by the stronger spring 28. The lever 25 has an arm 33 extending across one end of the coinslot 2. The partition 4 is provided with an opening 34 to accommodate the movement of the arm 33, and also with an opening 35 for the free end of the locking member 24. When a washer is inserted into the coin-slot 2, it engages the arm 33 of the lever 25 which is thereupon rocked clock: wise (as viewed in Fig. 5), and allows the weaker spring 32 to project the locking member 24 across the coin-slot through the opening in the washer, thereby locking the same against'further inward movement.

-The underside of the free end of the locking member 24 is beveled as shown at 36 in Fig. 4 to ermit withdrawal of the washer. The ront wall of the casing is provided with a recess 37 to receive the free end of the locking member 24 in projected position. The insertion of a good coin rocks the lever 25 the same as a washer, but the pressure exerted by the locking member 24 against the surface of the coin through the weak spring 32 does not interfere with the assage of the coin past the locking memer. The base plate 26 is provided with lugs 38, 39 and 40 to guide the locking member in its movements.

The washer-catching mechanism is arranged in the casing above the magnetictesting mechanism and supplements the function of the lever by arresting non-magnetic washers or rings. It is not, of course, necessary that the two testing mechanisms be employed in the same machine.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States. is

1. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with a coin-chute, a pivoted framework having an arm adapted to be projected across said in-chute, a magnet supported on said framework in a plane 1 parallel with the plane of said coinchute and having its poles substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, and means for so balancing said framework that said arm is normally out of the coin-chute, whereby 1 a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of said magnet overbalances said framework and causes said arm to move across the coin-chute as a positive stop for the magnetic disk. 130

2. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with an upright coinchute, a pivoted framework having a horizontal arm at its upper end, a magnet supported loosely on said framework in an upright position at one side of the pivot, the poles of said magnet being substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, and means for normally balancing said framework to hold said arm out of the coin-chute, whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of said magnet overbalances said framework and causes said arm to move across the coin-chute as a positive stop for the magnetic disk.

3. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with a coin-chute, a movable framework mounted within said casing, a magnet resting loosely on said framework and movable bodily in its own plane, the poles of said magnet being substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, stationary means for guiding said magnet in its movements, an arm on said framework adapted to be projected across said coin-chute when a magnetic diskadhering to said magnet is pushed downwardly and thereby o erates said framework, and means for so ba anclng said framework in its normal position that the free end of said arm is normally held out of the coin-chute.

4. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with a coin-chute, a framework pivoted within said casing,',a magnet supported on said framework at a point near the pivot thereof and having its poles substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, an arm carried by said framework at a greater distance from the pivot than said magnet, whereby a slight movement of said magnet when a magnetic disk is inserted in the coin-chute and pushed downwardly causes an increased movement of said arm and projects the same across the coin-chute as a stop for the magnetic disk, and means for so balancing said framework in its normal position that said arm is nor.- mally held out of the coin-chute to permit the free passage of a good coin.

5. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with a coin-chute, a balanced framework pivoted within said casing, a magnet resting loosely on said framework and movable in a plane parallel with the plane of said coin-chute, and a stop adapted to be automatically projected across said coin-chute when an inserted magnetic disk adhering to said magnet is pushed downwardly to overbalance said framework, said stop arresting further inward movement of the magnetic disk.

- 6. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with a coin-chute, a balanced framework pivoted within said casing, a magnet resting loosely on said framework and movable in a plane parallel with I the plane of said coin-chute, and a stop car ried by said framework and adapted to be automatically projected across said coinchute when an inserted magnetic disk adhering to said magnet is pushed downwardly to overbalance said framework,said stop arresting further inward movement of the magnetic disk.

7. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with a substantially upright coin-chute, a magnet supported at one side of said coin-chute in an upright position and movable bodily in its own plane, the polar ends of said magnet being bent to terminate substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, and a stop adapted to be automatically projected across said coinchute when an inserted magnetic disk adhering to said magnet is pushed downwardly to move the same, said stop arresting further downward movement of the magnetic disk.

8. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing providedwith a substantially upright coin-chute, a magnet supported at one side of said coin-chute 1n an upright position and movable bodily in its own plane, the polar ends of said magnet being bent to terminate substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, and a notched or recessed arm adapted. to be automatically projected across said coin-chute when an inserted magnetic disk adhering to said magnet is pushed downwardly to move the same, the notch or recess in said projected arm being in the path of the magnetic disk to cause locking engagement between said arm and said disk.

9. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism,

,in its own plane, the polar ends of said magnet being bent to terminate substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, and an arm adapted to be automatically projected across said coin-chute when an inserted magnetic disk adhering to said magnet is pushed downwardly to move the same, the free end of said projected arm being supported in said recess. 7

10. In a magnetic coin-testing mechanism, a casing provided with a substantially upright coin-chute, an n right framework pivotally supported at its lower end, an upright Ushaped magnet resting loosely at its lower end on said support at one side of the pivot and movable bodily in its own plane, the polar ends of said magnet being bent to terminate substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, means for guiding the mag net in its movement, an upright standard on said framework at the other side of its pivot, a horizontal arm extending from the upper net is pushed downwardly to overbalance said framework, and means for so balancing said framework in normal position that said arm is normally held out of the coin-chute. 11. In a magnetic co1n-test1ng mechanism,

1 a casing provided with a coin-chute, a normally balanced framework mounted within said casing, a magnet carried by said framework and having its poles substantially in alinement with said coin-chute, whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering 15 to the poles of said magnet overbalances said framework and causes the same to rock, and a stop carried by said framework and adapted to be automatically projected across said coin-chute when said framework is over- 20 balanced, whereby said stop arrests further inward movement of the magnetic disk.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 19th day of May, 1914.

ALBERT D. GROVER. \Vitnesses:

A. A. T'HoMAs, C. J. KULBERG. 

